Secure Terminal Data Loader Apparatus and Method for a Mobile Platform

ABSTRACT

A terminal data loading device on a mobile platform includes a media unit for receiving a transportable media element containing media data and outputting a media signal to a control processor unit. The control processor unit outputs an information signal to a wireline communication unit. The wireline communication unit outputs a wireline signal to a network on the mobile platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 10/718,474 filed Nov. 20, 2003 which claims the benefit of aprovisional application Ser. No. 60/428,091 filed on Nov. 21, 2002 for aTerminal Data Loader. This and all other extrinsic materials discussedherein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where adefinition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistentor contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, thedefinition of that term provided herein applies and the definition ofthat term in the reference does not apply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to a data delivery system for a device ona mobile platform such as an aircraft, and more particularly pertains toa system and method for delivering secure data to a delivery device on amobile platform that automatically delivers decrypted content to themobile platform.

1. Description Of Prior Art

Previously, a portable device was used to deliver data content to amobile platform such as an aircraft. This portable device performed aloading function that transfers data from the portable device to one ormore devices on the aircraft. This was not advantageous because itrequired the portable loader to remain on the aircraft for an extendedperiod until the transfer of data from the loader device to the aircraftdevices was completed. The data loaded onto the aircraft system couldinclude in-flight entertainment (IFE) content such as movies, which caninclude very large quantities of data that may transfer relativelyslowly.

Since the data delivery system was portable, it was also more likely tobe damaged during transit on and off the aircraft, or by the repeatedmaking and breaking of the electrical connection between a portableloader and the platform system.

Aside from the difficulties associated with the data transfer, anothersignificant problem relates to the inability of an in-flightentertainment (IFE) manager to know the status of the content deliveryto the fleet of aircraft on a timely basis. Further, some data contentrequires security measures to protect it during transfer from thecontent provider to the content users on the aircraft.

There is a need to provide a permanently installed data delivery devicethat overcomes the problem of having to carry a heavy but delicatedelivery device while maintaining adequate security for the delivereddata content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A permanently installed Terminal Data Loader (TDL) for loading datacontent aboard a mobile platform such as an aircraft overcomes thesedisadvantages. Only a cryptographically secure media element istransportable while the TDL remains permanently installed aboard theaircraft. The TDL can be removed from the aircraft in order to performdiagnostics, maintenance, and repair.

One or more media units for reading and writing on transportable mediaelements can be used including optical media such as a Digital VersatileDisk (DVD), Compact Disc (CD), magnetic media such as an AdvancedIntelligent Tape (AIT-2/4/6), and solid-state media including one ormore memory sticks, for example. Each of these media elements hasvarious capacities and advantages. Other media elements may be utilizedwhich conform to the use and transportation as herein described.

In a first embodiment, a TDL device, permanently installed on a mobileplatform, includes a media unit that receives a removable media elementin order to read the information from the media element and output amedia signal representing information stored on the media element. Themedia unit is operatively connectable to the received media element.Alternatively, the media unit can receive a media signal and write mediadata to the media element.

A control processor receives the media signal from the media unit,processes the media signal, and outputs an information signal thatcorresponds to the received media signal. Alternatively, the controlprocessor unit can receive an information signal and produce a mediasignal. Processing includes collecting portions of the media signal intodelivery blocks of a predetermined size.

A wireline communication unit can receive the information signal fromthe control processor and output a wireline signal to a network on themobile platform. The wireline communication unit translates theinformation signal into a wireline signal corresponding to theinformation signal. Alternatively, the wireline communication unit canreceive a wireline signal and produce an information signal.

In a second embodiment, a TDL device, permanently installed on a mobileplatform, includes a media unit that receives a removable media elementcontaining encrypted information and outputs an encrypted media signalrepresenting information stored on the media element. A securityprocessor unit receives the encrypted media signal, processes theencrypted media signal, and outputs a decrypted or unencrypted mediasignal. Alternatively, the security processor unit can receive anunencrypted media signal and produce an encrypted media signal. Securityprocessing can include both decryption of the encrypted media signal aswell as encryption of the unencrypted information signal to produce anencrypted media signal based on a predetermined decryption algorithm andone or more associated cryptographic keys.

A control processor receives the unencrypted media signal from thesecurity processor unit, processes the unencrypted media signal, andoutputs an information signal that corresponds to the received encryptedmedia signal. Alternatively, the control processor unit can receive aninformation signal and produce an unencrypted media signal. A wirelinecommunication unit receives the decrypted information signal from thecontrol processor and outputs a wireline signal to a network on themobile platform.

In a third embodiment, a TDL device, permanently installed on a mobileplatform, includes a wireless communication unit that allows the TDL tocommunicate over a wireless network in order to send and receivemessages containing commands and data to and from wireless networkresources. The commands and data comprise an information signal to andfrom the control processor unit. The wireless communication unit cancommunicate with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order to accessthe internet, including e-mail. The internet e-mail can be used to sendand receive cryptographic key information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects andadvantages thereof, will become readily apparent upon consideration ofthe following specification in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the Terminal Data Loaderdevice for use with non-encrypted media data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the Terminal Data Loaderdevice for use with encrypted media data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the Terminal Data Loaderdevice for use with a wireless network.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the Terminal Data Loaderdevice showing the media units.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the Terminal Data Loader Base Board Unitincluded within the Terminal Data Loader system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram flow chart of the content preparation anddelivery process.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the content encryption and decryption process.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the local network interface with theTerminal Data Loader including one or more file servers, one or morelocal media servers, and a management terminal.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the cryptographic key interface system usedfor the request and receipt of new cryptographic keys.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a permanently installed, high datacapacity cryptographically secure Terminal Data Loader (TDL) device forreceiving a transportable media element and delivering informationcontent to users in a variety of mobile platforms including, but notlimited to, one or more passenger aircraft, tour busses, trains, motorhomes, cruise ships, or automobiles. In one embodiment, for applicationon a passenger aircraft, the TDL can upload data to file servers andmedia servers as well as download data from file servers and mediaservers in a variety of ways both while in flight and on the ground. TheTDL can decrypt protected content in real time as it is read fromremovable media so that movies and other content do not need to betransported to the aircraft unsecured. Content remains encrypted fromthe time it leaves the content generating facility until it is safelyread by the TDL.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the TDL 100 devicefor use with non-encrypted media data. In this embodiment, a media unit102 can receive a removable, transportable media element 104 thatcontains unencrypted media data. The media unit 102 is operativelyconnectable to the received media element 104. The media data can beread from the media element 104 by the media unit 102 to produce a mediasignal 106. The media signal 106 corresponds to the informationcontained on the media element 104. Alternatively, the media unit 102can receive a media signal 106 and write media data to the media element104.

The media signal 106 is passed to the control processor unit 108 whichproduces an information signal 110. The information signal 110corresponds to the processed media signal 106. Alternatively, thecontrol processor unit 108 can receive an information signal 110 andproduce a media signal 106. Processing can include collecting portionsof the media signal 106 into delivery blocks of a predetermined size.The information signal 110 is passed to a wireline communication unit112 which outputs a wireline signal 114 to a mobile platform network116. Alternatively, the wireline communication unit 112 can receive awireline signal 114 and produce an information signal 110. The wirelinecommunication unit 112 can be an Ethernet device, a Fibre Channeldevice, a token ring device, a universal-serial-bus (USB) device, or aserial communication device that conforms to an accepted standard. Thewireline communication unit 112 can alternatively be a local areawireless connection such as one, for example, that is compliant to theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard802.11. This alternative is drawn to only the mobile platform network116 and cannot communicate beyond the mobile platform network 116. TheTDL 100 can thus be used to on-load data from the transportable mediaelement 104 onto a resource attached to the mobile platform network 116.Alternatively, the TDL 100 can be used to off-load data from the mobileplatform network 116 to a transportable media element 104.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the TDL 100 for usewith encrypted media data. Although similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1in some respects, the embodiment of FIG. 2 also includes a securityprocessor 204 for use with encrypted media data. In this embodiment, themedia unit 102 receives a removable, transportable media element 104that contains encrypted media data. The encrypted media data is readfrom the media element 104 by the media unit 102 to produce an encryptedmedia signal 202. The encrypted media signal 202 corresponds to theencrypted information contained on the media element 104.

The encrypted media signal 202 is passed to the security processor unit204 which produces an unencrypted media signal 206. The unencryptedmedia signal 206 corresponds to the security processed encrypted mediasignal 202. Security processing includes decryption of the encryptedmedia signal 202 based on a predetermined decryption algorithm and oneor more associated cryptographic keys. Conversely, security processingalso includes encryption of the unencrypted media signal 206 into anencrypted media signal 202.

The control processor unit 108 interfaces with a physical key unit 208that receives a physical key 212. The physical key unit 208 producesencryption and decryption key information 210 using physical key 212.The encryption and decryption key information 210 is passed to thesecurity processor unit 204. The physical key 212 preferably conforms tothe physically secure Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)Publication 140-1, level-2 compliant hardware device to performauthentication and encryption key storage.

The security processor unit 204 uses the encryption and decryption keyinformation 210 to decrypt the encrypted media signal 202 according to apredetermined decryption algorithm in order to produce the unencryptedmedia signal 206 which comprises the media data. The media data isprotected using cryptographic techniques so that, if the removable mediais obtained by an unauthorized person, the content of the media data isnot accessible.

The cryptographic techniques preferably comply with the Data EncryptionStandard (DES) protocol, the Triple-DES (3DES) protocol, the AdvancedEncryption Standard (AES), or other established security protocols. Thecryptographic techniques employed can comply with symmetric orasymmetric (public key) protocols. Asymmetric key protocols can be usedto securely exchange symmetric keys for use in encrypting and decryptingcontent.

The unencrypted media signal 206 is passed to the control processor unit108 that produces an information signal 110. The information signal 110corresponds to the processed unencrypted media signal 206. Processingincludes collecting portions of the unencrypted media signal 206 intodelivery blocks of a predetermined size. The information signal 110 ispassed to a wireline communication unit 112 that outputs a wirelinesignal 114 to the mobile platform network 116. Parsing the unencryptedmedia signal 206 into blocks of a predetermined size can facilitate theuse of block-cipher protocols as well as other advantages includelimiting the bandwidth required for transfers in the presence of othernetwork devices. Alternatively, the wireline communication unit 112 canreceive a wireline signal 114 from the mobile platform 116 and output aninformation signal 110. The control processor unit 108 receives theinformation signal 110 and produces an unencrypted media signal 206which is passed to the security processor unit 204. The securityprocessor unit 204 receives the unencrypted media signal 206 andproduces an encrypted media signal 202 which is passed to the media unit102. The media unit 102 then writes the encrypted media signal to themedia element 104 as encrypted media data. The media element 104 isoperatively connected to the media unit 102.

Encrypted content is decrypted and transferred to a server on the mobileplatform network while unencrypted content, so called “in the clear” or“plain text” content, is transferred directly to the mobile platformserver. The encrypted content will only be in the clear when it isstored on a mobile platform server. Although the first and secondembodiments just described refer to unencrypted and encrypted mediadata, respectively, the media data contained on a particular mediaelement 104 may actually contain both encrypted and unencrypted data.Since some of the content includes theatrical content such as movies forin-flight entertainment, content can be encrypted and decrypted incompliance with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)guidelines. A server on the mobile platform network reassembles themedia data content into one or more complete files for use on the mobileplatform.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the TDL device foruse with a wireless network. Further to the embodiment of FIG. 2, theembodiment of FIG. 3 includes a wireless communication unit thatinteracts with a wireless network. The TDL communicates with an internetservice provider that is accessible to the mobile platform to accesscommand and data information. The wireless communication unit 302receives an information signal 304 from the control processor unit 108and sends a wireless signal 308 to a receiving wireless communicationunit over a wireless network 306.

Alternatively, the wireless communication unit 302 receives a wirelesssignal 308 from the wireless network 306 and translates the wirelesssignal with the wireless communication unit 302 into an informationsignal 304 that is sent to the control processor unit 108. Theinformation signal 304 comprises messages to and from the TDL includingsent and received cryptographic keys, requests for information, responseto requests for information, operational health and status, and e-mail,for example.

The TDL receives a transportable media element 104 and deliversinformation content to and receives information from the mobileplatform. When data is being loaded onto the TDL device from atransportable media element 104, that data is considered on-loadinginformation. Conversely, when the TDL receives a transportable mediaelement 104 and data is being written from the TDL to the transportablemedia element 104, that data is considered to be off-loadinginformation. The on-loading data can be in-flight entertainment for anaircraft including but not limited to digital content such as encryptedmotion picture experts group (MPEG) files, MPEG Layer 3 (MP3) audiofiles, poster images such as informational signs with elementalcomponents, menus for title and synopsis lists, exhibition profile listsfor content based on licensing of the content, and content decryptionkeys.

The on-loading data can be entertainment content including but notlimited to broadcast text messages, games and surveys, airline customerinformation, intranet web pages, and integrated pre-recordedannouncements in various languages. The on-loading information containedin the transportable media can also be related to the operation of themobile platform such as crew notices and instruction manuals for theaircraft, passenger information regarding meal selections, allergies tofoods, or other special requirements and information. The on-loadinginformation can also include in-flight entertainment applications orapplication updates to the TDL or other system on the mobile platformconnected via the mobile platform network 116.

In reference to FIG. 4, the TDL can also off-load data by writing to awriteable, transportable media element 104 such as a Read/Write opticaldisc in the optical media unit 404, a magnetic tape in the magneticmedia unit 408, or solid-state media in a solid-state media unit 410.The solid-state media element can be a memory-stick, a random accessmemory unit (RAM), or some other storage device without moving parts,while the solid-state media unit is a device for reading data from andoptionally writing data to a corresponding solid-state media element.Information off-loaded from the mobile platform can include, but is notlimited to, content usage data such as movie file, audio file, and gameusage. Off-loading data can include web-server logs, survey results, aduty-free manifest and customer selections for preparation after theaircraft arrives at a destination.

For example, the customer selections can be automatically sent upon gatearrival to a vendor in the arrival airport so that the vendor canassemble purchased items for the passenger to pick up after departingthe aircraft. The off-loading data may include a transaction databasefor items purchased during the trip, electronic customs declarationforms filed out while on the aircraft, passenger arrival messagescustomized depending on a particular passenger's preferred languageprofile as detailed in a passenger information listing.

Off-loading data can also include aircraft system related informationsuch as logs of built-in-test (BIT) operations performed,built-in-test-equipment (BITE) logs, hardware and software versioninformation regarding the TDL or other interconnected resources in theaircraft, aircraft maintenance records, an advance equipment failurelist, and equipment profile information such as themean-time-between-failure (MTBF) andmean-time-before-unscheduled-replacement (MTBUR) data for the TDL orother equipment on the aircraft.

The TDL can collect and off-load flight information such as time on theground, time at the gate, crew orders, accident reports, and otherrecords. The TDL can collect and off-load surveillance data gathered bydistributed audio and video or other physical sensors for use indocumenting evidence regarding allegations of air-rage or otherdisruptions during flight.

A high to low volume of data can be uploaded to the TDL from a mediaunit operably connected to a corresponding media element. The opticalmedia unit can be a DVD unit or a CD unit, or can be some other type ofmedium that reads and writes information optically. The solid-statemedia unit can be a memory stick unit for receiving a solid-state memoryor other high to low capacity storage medium that reads and writeinformation to a solid-state memory storage unit. The magnetic mediaunit can be an AIT unit, or other high to low capacity storage mediumthat reads and writes information magnetically. The TDL is preferablypermanently mounted in the mobile platform and the media elements aretransported to and from the TDL. The TDL may be removed from the mobileplatform for diagnostics, maintenance, and repair.

In reference to FIG. 4, the TDL includes an optical media unit 404, ainterface unit 406, a magnetic media unit 408, a solid-state media unit410, and a TDL base board unit 402. Typically, an AIT tape can be usedto transport a high volume of data, such as 50 GB or more. A DVD/CD ormemory stick is used to transport an intermediate volume of data, suchas 700 MB to 8.5 GB. Data is written onto writeable media by the TDL 100in order to offload data from the aircraft. The TDL base board unit 402is one or more printed circuit boards. The interface unit 406 includesvarious components for use in isolating sensitive electronic componentsfrom the external environment such as electrostatic discharge (ESD)protection components and optical isolation elements to eliminateunwanted crosstalk, for example.

In reference to FIG. 5, the TDL base board unit 402 includes a controlprocessor unit 108, a discretes unit 502, a wireline communication unit112, a wireless communication unit 302 that interfaces with an antenna504, a security processor unit 204, and a physical key unit 208. Theseunits can be implemented individually as modules or as discretecomponents suitably arranged and interconnected to perform the describedfunctions.

The control processor unit 108 preferably includes a single-boardcomputer with solid-state memory such as a random access memory (RAM)and bootable flash memory, but without a rotating, magnetic hard diskdrive (HDD). This reliance on solid-state components increases thereliability of the TDL 100. The control processor unit 108 includes atleast one Universal Serial Bus (USB) port for interfacing with thesolid-state media, and at least two Enhanced Integrated DriveElectronics (EIDE) ports for interfacing with the optical media unit 404and the magnetic media unit 408 respectively.

The control processor unit 108 is programmed to implement varioussoftware based applications and with sub-programs or drivers tofacilitate their operation as herein described. For example, the controlprocessor unit 108 implements various software interfaces such as theTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), File TransferProtocol (FTP), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), or direct Simple MailTransfer Protocol (SMTP) for communication on and off the mobileplatform. The software interface can include an Application ProgramInterface (API) that provides access to supported network services.

The discretes unit 502 includes circuitry to detect and report externalconditions detected by physical sensors, such as an “at gate” signal,whether the door of the aircraft is open or the aircraft parking brakeis set, for example. The operational mode of the TDL 100 depends on thevarious internal and external conditions as well as the type ofoperation that is requested or pending. Preferably, the operation of theTDL 100 is automatic where a media element 104 is inserted into a mediaunit 102 and the reading, decrypting, and storing of the loaded contentto a shared server on the mobile platform can be accomplishedautomatically.

The wireline communication unit 112 can include a serial port such as aRS-232/422/485, a network port such as a 100/10-Base-T Ethernet, a FibreChannel port, a USB port, or a token-ring port, and may be integratedtogether with the control processor unit 108 or upon the base board 402.These various types of ports allow flexibility for the TDL 100 to beavailable as a resource on the mobile platform network.

The wireless connection unit 302 allows the TDL to reliably exchangeinformation with resources on the internet thereby allowing an in-flightentertainment (IFE) manager to monitor and control the delivery ofcontent in nearly real-time. For example, the IFE manager can use aweb-based internet system to determine the delivery status of theinformation content on each aircraft and initiate changes such ascryptographic key updates, programming changes, etc. The combination ofend-to-end content encryption, real-time hardware decryption on theaircraft, and automated and secure key management allows IFE managers toeasily manage the delivery of content to a mobile fleet.

The wireless communication unit 302 is used to transport data over arelatively low-bandwidth cellular channel. The wireless connection ispreferably a tri-band (900, 1800, and 1900 MHz) cellular data link suchas the Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications including CircuitSwitched Data (CSD) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) capabilitiesthat supports voice, data, fax, and Short Message Service (SMS)protocols. The wireless link provides worldwide, bi-directional internetaccess to the aircraft when conditions permit activating the wirelesslink such as when the aircraft is parked at the terminal gate, theparking brake is set, or a cabin door is open, for example.

The four data transfer modes described; tape, disc, solid-state, andwireless have obvious advantages. It is beneficial to include all thesemodes since the various types of content that may be on-loaded oroff-loaded is flexibly transported using an appropriate mode dependingon the size of the data, the frequency of distribution, and the urgencyof the on-loading and off-loading requirements. Other media units may beutilized such that the transportable media element itself does notcontain any electronic or other components such that the transportablemedia element would be subject to certification under an airworthinesscertification such as described in conjunction with the U.S. FederalAviation Administration (FAA) 8130-6, or other similar certification toverify the transportable media will not cause harmful interactions withthe aircraft. The TDL 100 itself can be certified for installationaboard an aircraft. These certifications include RTCA D0160D, BoeingSCSRD D6-36440 rev C, Airbus 4640 M1F001 00, Airbus TN-ESK-011/27.07.00,and others. Since the transportable media element 104 is not subject tocertification, it can be easily transported on and off the aircraft.

The security processor unit 204 can be a stand-alone encryption anddecryption engine such as a Motorola MPC 184 Security Processor, or thecryptographic functionality may be integrated together with the controlprocessor unit 108 or other appropriately programmed general purposecomputer. The security processor unit 204 is preferably a stand-aloneunit, separate from the control processor unit 108, in order to moreeffectively implement real-time decryption of encrypted content withoutoverburdening the control processor unit 108. The TDL 100 employscryptographic techniques to secure and authenticate communications withexternal networks as well as validate the content contained on aninserted media element 104 and any compatible, encrypted or signedmessage received.

The physical key 212 is preferably a hardware token that includescircuitry that can be used to produce private and public cryptographickey pairs when requested by the control processor unit 108 through thephysical key unit 208. The public key is exported from the physical key212 while the private key is never exported. When the physical key 212interfaces with the physical key unit 208 it is considered part of thecircuitry of the TDL 100.

The physical key 212 is used to uniquely identify a particular TDL 100from a secure communications standpoint. If a TDL 100 device is found tobe defective it may be replaced with a functional TDL 100 by a fieldtechnician as a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU). The physical key 212 isthen transferred to the replacement TDL 100 so that the cryptographickeys generated with the physical key 212 will continue to be valid withthe corresponding media elements 104. The physical key 212 can be anAladdin eToken Pro that supports 1024-bit Public Key Infrastructure(PKI) technology including key generation.

The physical key 212 is removable and is preferably locatedunobtrusively on the rear portion of the TDL 100 away from reach by amanager or passenger until the TDL 100 unit is removed from its mountingplace by a field technician. The flexibility of transferring thephysical key 212 from one TDL 100 to another ensures rapid usability ofa replacement TDL 100 and reduces potential down-time.

In reference to FIG. 6, the content preparation and delivery process isdescribed. The content delivery modes can be classified as eitherelectronic or non-electronic. For non-electronic distribution, a contentintegration facility 602 produces a media element 104 containing mediadata to be sent by a courier 604 to a service base 606. The service base606 collects one or more media elements 104 for use on one or moreaircraft or other mobile platforms and is preferably local to theterminal where the mobile platform stops to take on or let offpassengers. From the service base 606 a courier 608 delivers a specifiedmedia element 104 to a particular TDL 100 on a particular mobileplatform. A courier (604, 608) can include any non-electronicdistribution system of the transportable media element 104 including aparcel delivery service, maintenance staff member, or airline employee,for example.

For electronic distribution, a content integration facility 602 producesa content message that is preferably sent over an electronic network 610to the internet 612. The content message can be an e-mail message or canbe a file that is stored in a predetermined location. A TDL 100 canretrieve the content message by accessing an Internet Service Provider(ISP) 616 over a wireless network. The ISP 616 is preferably local tothe mobile platform and enables the TDL 100 to make a connection to theinternet 614 to retrieve any pending messages for the particular TDL 100that is making the request to retrieve a message or to upload status,for example.

In reference to FIG. 7, the content encryption and decryption processdescribes how a media data content file is processed and transportedfrom beginning to end. First a possibly large media data content file isreceived in a receive unencrypted content 702 step. In many cases, anencryption algorithm will require that the plain text data input forencryption be composed in a block of a predetermined size prior toencryption or decryption.

The unencrypted content is encrypted in an encrypt delivery blocks 704step. The encrypted delivery blocks are written to the media element 104in a write blocks to media 706 step. The media element 104 containingthe encrypted delivery blocks is transported to a particular mobileplatform in a deliver media to mobile platform step 708. The mediaelement 104 is inserted into the particular TDL in the insert media intoTDL 710 step. The delivery blocks on the inserted media element 104 aredecrypted by the TDL in the decrypt delivery blocks 712 step.

The decrypted delivery blocks are electronically transmitted from theTDL to a media server connected to the TDL on the mobile platformnetwork 116 where the delivery blocks are collected in a collectdelivery blocks 714 step. Finally, the collected delivery blocks arereassembled into a complete content file, corresponding to the initialcontent file, in the reassemble into complete content file 716 step.

In reference to FIG. 8, the TDL 100 interfaces with a mobile platformnetwork 116. Content from the TDL is transferred to one or more mobileplatform servers 802 and/or one or more media servers 806. Themanagement terminal 808 allows an individual on the mobile platform tointeract with the TDL 100 in order to request an update of cryptographickeys or initiate diagnostics. If the individual requests updatedcryptographic keys, the TDL 100 accesses an ISP 616 via the wirelessnetwork to request or send the updated cryptographic keys.

In reference to FIG. 9, updating cryptographic keys is described. Thecryptographic keys may be updated manually or automatically. To updatecryptographic keys manually, an individual enters a command to themanagement terminal 808 requesting the TDL 100 to generate a newpublic/private key pair. The new public key will be used by a contentsupplier facility 902 to encrypt the content key associated with theencrypted content on one or more media elements 104 for use with theparticular TDL 100 having the particular physical key 212 and making therequest. The new public key can be transferred to the content supplierfacility 902 in a variety of ways, either through the wireless network306 where the TDL 100 contacts an accessible ISP 616 using the wirelesscommunications unit 302, by the individual reading the new public keyfrom a display on the management terminal 808 and reporting theinformation directly to the content supplier facility 902, by courier,or by some other appropriate means. The content supplier facility 902encrypts one or more content keys using the new public key. The contentsupplier facility 902 then transports the newly encrypted content keysto the requesting TDL 100.

To generate new cryptographic keys automatically, the TDL 100 receives acommand via the wireless network to generate a new public/private keypair. The new public key is similarly exported to the content supplierfacility 902. The content supplier facility 902 or a fleet manager canrequest that a particular TDL use updated keys by sending an automatice-mail request to the TDL 100. The request for a key update can take theform of an internet e-mail to a specified address which identifies theparticular TDL 100 making the request or can be an instant message to aparticular resource on the internet. The content supplier facility 902then uses this new public key to encrypt the content key associated withmedia associated with the particular TLD 100. The content supplierfacility 902 receives the request from the TDL 100 and generates one ormore new content keys. The new keys can be sent via e-mail or instantmessage in similar fashion. Alternatively, the newly encrypted contentkey can be distributed with the media element, or may be delivered viathe wireless network 306 to the requesting TDL 100. Alternatively, acollection of encrypted content keys may be distributed as a part of akey-ring. The key-ring contains one or more content keys encrypted usingone or more public keys corresponding to a plurality of physical keys212 distributed in the fleet. In this case, a particular TDL 100receiving encrypted media and a key-ring of encrypted content keys willuse a look-up method to determine the proper encrypted key correspondingto the particular physical key 212. This distribution of encryptedcontent keys on a key-ring allows more economical management of contentdelivery since copies of a media element can be utilized by differentTDL by accessing the appropriate cryptographic key on the key-ring.However, distributing the encrypted content keys separately from theactual content media element 104 has advantages from a securitystandpoint since the media and the content keys are transportedseparately.

The physical key 212 may be used for the creation and secure storage ofprivate keys that comply with the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) public-keycryptosystem, for example. Each physical key 212 is given a unique,internal private key that is not accessible from outside the physicalkey 212. The content on a media element 104 is encrypted with a contentkey, while the content key is encrypted with the public key associatedwith a particular TDL 100. When the encrypted media element 104 issupplied to the particular TDL 100, the internal private key is used todecrypt the encrypted content key, while the content key is then used todecrypt the encrypted content. Therefore, the content is protected usingtwo layers of encryption, so that the content encryption keys are passedin a secure manner to the specified TDL 100. The security processor unit204 preferably processes both the RSA keys for use in decrypting thecontent decryption keys as well as decrypting the content with thedecrypted content key. Because the TDL decrypts media data content inreal-time as it comes off the transportable media element 104, thecontent never needs to be transported to the aircraft in an unsecuredmanner.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can beconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. An aircraft terminal data loader system comprising: a media unitconfigured to access data from a transportable media element; a controlprocessor unit coupled to the media unit and configured to exchange thedata with an aircraft network; a wireless communication unit coupled tothe control processor unit, and configured to provide the controlprocessor unit a direct wireless bi-directional Internet connection witha in-flight entertainment (IFE) manger; and wherein the controlprocessor unit is further configured to manage an exchange of the datawith the aircraft network in response to at least one of (a) aninformation signal exchanged with the IFE manager over the wirelessconnection, and (b) insertion of the transportable media element intothe media unit.
 2. The terminal data loader system of claim 1, whereinthe wireless communication unit uses cellular channel to provide thewireless connection.
 3. The terminal data loader system of claim 2,wherein the cellular channel comprises a multi band cellular data link.4. The terminal data loader system of claim 3, wherein the multi-bandcellular data link comprises at least a tri-band cellular data link. 5.The terminal data loader system of claim 3, wherein the cellular channelcomprises a GSM link.
 6. The terminal data loader system of claim 5,wherein the GSM comprises a link selected from the group consisting of aCSD link, and a GPRS link.
 7. The terminal data loader system of claim1, wherein the information signal comprises off-load data.
 8. Theterminal data loader system of claim 7, wherein the off-load datacomprises a media content delivery status.
 9. The terminal data loadersystem of claim 7, wherein the off-load data comprises at least one of abuilt-in-test operation performed, and a built-in-test equipment log.10. The terminal data loader system of claim 7, wherein the off-loaddata comprises at least one of a maintenance record, an equipmentfailure list, and equipment profile information.
 11. The terminal dataloader system of claim 7, wherein the off-load data comprises at leastone of a time on the ground, a time at the gate, a crew order, anaccident report, and surveillance data.
 12. The terminal data loadersystem of claim 7, wherein the off-load data comprises at least one of atransaction, a customs declaration, a customer's selection, a passengermessage, and a manifest.
 13. The terminal data loader system of claim 7,wherein the off-load data is stored on the transportable media element.14. The terminal data loader system of claim 1, wherein informationsignal comprise on-load data.
 15. The terminal data loader system ofclaim 14, wherein the on-load data comprises at least one of a digitalcontent, a poster image, an aircraft operation information, andpassenger information.
 16. The terminal data loader system of claim 14,wherein the on-load data comprises at least one of a media file, aprofile list based on licensing of content, and a content decryptionkey.
 17. The terminal data loader system of claim 14, wherein theon-load data comprises a programming change.
 18. The terminal dataloader system of claim 14, wherein the on-load data is stored on thetransportable media element.
 19. The terminal data loader system ofclaim 1, wherein the control processor is further configured to exchangethe information signal with the IFE manager in nearly real-time.
 20. Theterminal data loader system of claim 1, wherein the wirelesscommunication unit comprises a discrete component with respect tocommunication processor.
 21. The terminal data loader system of claim 1,further comprising a security processor unit configured to decryptencrypted content based on a cryptographic key.
 22. The terminal dataloader system of claim 21, further comprising a physical key configuredto produce the cryptographic key in response to a request from thecontrol processor.
 23. The terminal data loader of claim 1, furthercomprising a discrete unit configured to detect a sensor signal from aphysical sensor, and wherein the control processor is further configuredto establish the wireless connection in response to the sensor signal.24. An in-flight entertainment management system, comprising an aircraftcomprising the terminal data loader system of claim 1; and a web-basedInternet interface through which the IFE manager can access the terminaldata loader system.
 25. The system of claim 24, further comprising afleet of aircraft, where each aircraft of the fleet includes a terminaldata loader system according to claim
 1. 26. The system of claim 25,wherein the web-based Internet interface is configured to allow the IFEmanager to manage a data exchange with the fleet of aircraft.
 27. Thesystem of claim 26, wherein the web-base Internet interface isconfigured to present a report to the IFE manager based on the exchangeddata.
 28. The system of claim 24, wherein the web-base interface isconfigured to allow the IFE manager to manage a cryptographic keyupdate, a programming change, and a content delivery.